The Kiss

Finally, a film with content and true character development. The Kiss, which I viewed at the San Diego Film Festival, is one of the most refreshing films I've seen for a long time. Is it setting the scene for a turnaround in the American film style? I hope so. The storyline flows elegantly throughout the scenes from beginning to end. A realistically rendered emotional scene with Terrence Stamp and Francoise Surel toward the end only makes you wish that the film would not end so soon. A genuine change from the vapid, in-your-face, so-called dramas we have been subjected to over the last few years. This film brings the whole concept of movie watching up a notch. Highly recommend it.

With no screaming visual effects, no killing and no mayhem, this may not be the film for the romantically challenged. What is there is a story with a heart, characters motivated by feelings and passion. A timeless desire for togetherness is molded into two stories that are really one. Artistically crafted with a wonderful score, this is a picture for those who seek the best in people and it reminds us of what can be. I highly recommend this to those of us who still can connect with their heart.

Before you make fun of this movie or talk about how awful it is, I suggest you read director's Gorman Bechard's defense testimonial. In it, he says that the main actress (gaunt Mia Farrow look-alike) was cast because she was the producer's wife, that someone else edited the picture, and that the music was brought in later. As a result, maybe this is simply a life lesson about Hollywood and how it corrupts anything good. Still, how can one let Mr. Bechard off the hook for having the great Terrence Stamp wear white sneakers? I mean, the guy is supposed to be a JD Salinger-like character and he's in Keds??? That, is kind of tough to forgive. But, alas, what isn't?

Reading the disclaimer from the director of this film, Gorman Bechard, makes a lot of sense, as it explains a lot of questions one asked about it while watching it. "The Kiss" must have shown a lot of potential in order for this project to have gone ahead, but it appears there was a lot of cutting, making the film incomprehensible, at times.

The best thing in the film are Terence Stamp and Eliza Dushku, who make the best out of their characters. In flashbacks we see Billy Zane and Francoise Surel as the protagonists of the novel without an ending, and in real life. Alas, these two actors don't live up to what Mr. Bechard probably had in mind.

Since the director was not consulted in the cuts, one can't hold him accountable for what comes out in the screen, yet, one sees the possibilities of what could have been in small doses.

Just to set the record straight, Francoise Surel is the wife of producer Arthur Chang. She was on board the project from the get-go.

And while I truly appreciate some of the kind comments about the film, please know that I had nothing to do with the final version of the film. It was completely recut to focus on Ms. Surel. Likewise, the music was changed. I'm not at all fond of this final cut. And to say that I dislike the music is an understatement. And please know that the voice overs from the novel were written by other writers, not myself or Mr. Manzi.

While some of the better moments survived this cut (it's hard to make Eliza and Terence look bad), many unfortunately have not.

But nonetheless, thank you for watching, Gorman Bechard.